WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Information and updates on the latest and popular Portable Keyboards

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Arturia has introduced the KeyLab 88 MkII, a major update to its KeyLab MkII MIDI controller range- an 88-note model that is designed for serious producers and players.

The Arturia Keylab 88 MkII featuring 88 note, velocity sensitive Fatar TP/100LR piano weighted keybed with aftertouch, 4 CV/gate connections: pitch, gate, mod and input, 16 pads, 9 faders, 9 rotary encoders, 10 assignable buttons for parameters. Arturia’s Analog Lab software, Ableton Live Lite, multiple DAWs and Piano V, Wurli V and Vox Continental V plugins are also included.

The Keylab 88 MkII is a powerful keyboard and controller. With its four CV/gate connections, the KeyLab 88 MkII gives you control over vintage synths and modular rigs. It also doubles up as a Mackle/HUI – compliant DAW command centre – you can hit record, mute and directly from the device and it is not just DAWs that this controller can command. Arturia has also branded this instrument as a “universal MIDI controller”, which means that it should be able to control a breadth of MIDI-compatible hardware and software.

This keyboard is portable, weighing approximately 32.4 lbs. and available at zZounds as well The Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII could be the ultimate MIDI controller keyboard for producers who play.
zZounds

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Novation have recently launched the Novation Summit, a 16 voice poly-synth. The Summit is basically a two Peaks in one box, which you can use as a single synth engine or split the keys, or pick two separate patches that can be layered, blended. The Novation Summit features 5 octaves, 61-note semi-weighted, velocity sensitive aftertouch keyboard.

The Novation Summit is a combination of digital and analogue technology, using Novation’s New Ox-ford Oscillators to provide a high-resolution digital sound source that is then processed through a stereo analogue signal path. Signal path incorporates dual multimode filters and an analogue VCA per-voice. In addition, are three stages of analogue distortion – pre- and post-filter, and post-VCA. The Oxford oscillators are capable of classic waveforms, FM synthesis and wavetable synthesis.

Besides the Novation Summit packs an onboard arpeggiator that allows you to arpeggiate some of your favorite patches, this instrument also has two stereo outputs, a headphone out and a stereo input, which allows external signals to be processed via the onboard effects using one of the synth’s two multitimbral parts. There is a signal CV modulation input, too. This synth can also run as a MIDI controller.

Key Features:

• Polyphony – 16 Voice polyphony
• Voice Modes – 5 : Mono, MonoLG, Mono2, Poly, Poly2
• Oscillators – 48 (3 per voice)
• Modes: Layered, Split, Bi-timbral
• LFO – 2
• Ring Modulator: 1
• Noise Generator: 1
• Waveforms: Triangle, Saw, Square, Pulse
• Pre and Post Filter Distortion
• 16 Modulation Slots Per Patch
• Aftertouch
• Software Included: Ableton Live Lite

I believe this is a truly impressive synthesizer, especially for those who favor poly-synths. The Novation Summit would be available in September.

Arturia MicroFreak Hybrid Synthesizer

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The new Arturia MicroFreak is one of the star synth. A dramatically different synth from Arturia. This monophonic and 4-voice paraphonic instrument boasts a rather unusual feature set including a multi-mode digital oscillator, an Oberheim SEM-inspired analogue filter. Other features include a pressure-sensitive PCB keyboard, a multi-point modulation matrix, a sequencer-arpeggiator with controlled randomness Spice and Dice parameters, a cycling envelope, 128 factory presets, and space for 64 user sounds, OLED display lets you keep track of what is going on.

The Arturia MicroFreak powerful digital oscillator features a palette of unique modes such as Texturer, KarplusStrong, Harmonic OSC, and Superwave, enabling everyone from adventurous newbies to experienced synthesists to explore new sonic frontiers. The Arturia  MicroFreak is an extremely versatile little instrument that can sound sweet, deep, hypnotic, chaotic or volcanic, and whatever sounds you can dream up, MicroFreak is up to the task. MicroFreak also enables you to work fast too with advanced features like real-time sequence creation and randomization. Any pros will find it useful as an experimental sound design tool, much in the same way Eurorack modules are used. With less voltage required than a typical analogue, the Arturia MicroFreak can run from USB power.

The Arturia MicroFreak represents very good value for money, providing basic synthesis possibilities alongside more complicated and highly inspiring digitised formats. “There’s no way a budget synth can do all that!”  The Arturia MicroFreak Hybrid Synthesizer is here to break the rules.

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The new Nord Grand features a 88-note premium weighted keybed with advanced triple sensors that capture the movements of the hammers with exceptional precision, delivering the smooth and natural feel of an acoustic grand piano. To further improve on the authentic feel, each key is treated with an Ivory Touch surface.

As with the sound engine, it is split into two sections: Piano and Sample Synth. The Piano section includes a selection of Grand, Upright, Electric and Digital pianos from the Nord Piano Library, all of which can be replaced via the Nord Sound Manager. The Sample Synth section includes a variety of Strings, Brass, Synths, Choirs and many other sounds from the Nord Sample Library 3.0, which includes licensed Mellotron and Chamberlin sounds. The synth section is equipped with controls for attack, decay/release and dynamics (filter/velocity) and dedicated Category buttons enable quick navigation and selection of sample sounds. In addition, you can also create your sounds with the free Nord Sample Editor for Windows and Mac.

The Nord Grand Effect section gives you a broad range of instantly adjustable, studio-grade stereo ef-fects modeled on coveted vintage Stompboxes, plus Tremolo, Phaser, Chorus, Pan, Wah, RM, Flanger, Vibe, EQ, Delay, and Reverb. All effects can be freely assigned to the Piano or Sample Synth section. The Reverb effect has three different types: Hall, Stage, and Room, each with an optional Bright mode.

Decked in the familiar red wooden chassis, the Nord Grand looks to be available with a metal foldaway stand option for stage use, and a more permanent wooden stand for the home. In addition, it also comes with the Nord Triple Pedal.

The Nord Grand 88-note Kawai Hammer Action with Ivory Touch will be available in Spring 2019, with pricing to be announced. Check back often for updates.

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Nektar’s new SE MIDI keyboards come in SE25 and SE49. The SE USB MIDI Controller keyboards look to have several things going for them including portability, affordability and DAW control.

The Nektar SE25 is a 25-note, velocity-sensitive, mini-keyed model that sits nicely in front and almost the same width of a 13-inch laptop. Six buttons enable you control over the likes of sustain, pitch bend or modulation wheels. If you use the Nektar DAW Integration software, you also get transport control when you are using Logic Pro, Reason, Cubase, Bitwig Studio or Studio One.

Besides, there is also a Part Two function that enables you to change to a second MIDI channel, layer a sound on top or shift octave and transpose at the touch of a button.

The Nektar SE49 comes with 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys and proper pitch bend and modulation wheels. There are four buttons and one 30mm fader for accessing system settings and Nektar DAW control, leaving you with a workhorse MIDI keyboard that has some useful extra strings on its bow.

The SE Midi controllers price is stunning and lowest too.